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Sunderland was born in Mexborough , Yorkshire , and began his career at Wolves in 1970 ; initially a Midfielder , he eventually switched positions to Centre Forward . He made over 200 appearance for the Midlands side, and won the League Cup in 1974 and the Second Division in 1977 . In November 1977 he joined Arsenal for £220,000 and immediately became a regular, playing in the 1978 FA Cup final (which Arsenal lost to Ipswich Town ). Sunderland's most famous moment came in the FA Cup final of 1979 ; Arsenal had gone 2-0 up against Manchester United , with goals from Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton , and looked set for victory with only five minutes remaining. However, United scored twice in three minutes, with goals from Gordon McQueen and Sammy McIlroy , and Extra Time loomed. In the very last minute of the match however, Arsenal pushed forward in a desperate counter-attack; Liam Brady fed Graham Rix on the left wing, and his cross was converted by Sunderland at the far post to make the score 3-2, and win Arsenal the cup. Sunderland stayed at Arsenal for another five years, forming an impressive partnership with Frank Stapleton; he was the club's top scorer in 1979 - 80 and 1981 - 82 , and featured in the Arsenal sides that lost the 1980 FA Cup and Cup Winners' Cup finals. He also won a solitary England cap, against Australia . However, after a spate of injuries, and the arrival of Charlie Nicholas , Sunderland found himself pushed out of the first team. He joined Ipswich Town on loan in February 1984 , and made the move permanent later in the summer. He played for Ipswich until 1986 , then had a brief stint at Irish club Derry City , before calling it a day. Following retirement, he opened a Pub in Ipswich , before emigrating to Malta . |
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